Ain't Life Grand surges in Iowa Stallion Stakes

Iowa Derby winner Ain’t Life Grand showed his class Saturday night when he ran down a loose-on-the-lead Rowdy Rascal en route to a seven-length win in the $90,720 Iowa Stallion Stakes at Prairie Meadows.

Late for Lunch finished second, while it was another head back in third to Rowdy Rascal.

The race at one mile and 70 yards was for 3-year-olds eligible to the series.

Ain’t Life Grand ($2.10) won the meet’s biggest offering for his division earlier this month, when he captured the $300,000 Iowa Derby. He returned to the restricted ranks Saturday night at his home track, where the Iowa-bred was eligible for different purse supplements and stallion bonuses tied to the Iowa Stallion Stakes.

Ain’t Life Grand stalked the pace in third as Rowdy Rascal was clear through controlled fractions of 24.64 seconds for the opening quarter, 49.68 for six furlongs and 1:14.39 for six furlongs. Ain’t Life Grand advanced three wide on the turn, moved past the leader in the stretch, and went on to cover the distance on a fast track in 1:43.76.

Elvin Gonzalez was aboard the winner for trainer Kelly Von Hemel, who on Friday night won the fillies division of the Iowa Stallion Stakes with Miss Peach.

Ain’t Life Grand is a son of Not This Time who races for his breeder, RPM Thoroughbreds. He has now won 5 of 8 starts for earnings of $399,883.

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